AFCON 2027 travel guide: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

The Africa Cup of Nations 2027 runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027, hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Fans travelling between matches need a visa for each country, a plan for airports and match day transport, and reliable mobile data. A Slashtel eSIM for each host country keeps you connected while your home SIM stays active for calls and bank codes.

AFCON 2027 dates, host cities and venues

The Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 opens on Saturday 19 June 2027 and the final is on Saturday 17 July 2027. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are joint hosts, the first time three countries have staged the tournament. CAF had not published a final venue list as of 21 September 2026, so check the official site for confirmed stadiums and match schedules.

Host cities named in the bid are Nairobi in Kenya, Kampala in Uganda, and Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in Tanzania. Proposed venues, not yet confirmed, include:

• Kenya: the new Talanta Sports Stadium in Nairobi and the Moi International Sports Centre at Kasarani, both inspected by CAF.
• Tanzania: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, the new Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha and the Fumba (Maisara) sports complex in Zanzibar.
• Uganda: Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) in Kampala, Hoima City Stadium and Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira.

The final qualifying rounds are scheduled for 22 to 30 March 2027. Venues for the opening match and final will be confirmed by CAF on its official channels.

Visas and entry for visiting fans

Entry rules differ across the three host countries. British visitors need an eTA for Kenya, an online visa for Uganda and a visa plus inbound insurance for Tanzania. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda for 90 days but does not cover Tanzania. Always confirm eligibility and current requirements on each government's official site before booking.

Kenya: apply for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) at etakenya.go.ke before travel, ideally at least two weeks ahead. Your passport must be valid for six months with two blank pages. From 5 October 2026 most visitors staying under 12 months must buy Kenyan Government travel health insurance during the eTA application; foreign policies are not accepted instead.

Uganda: apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug. You receive a letter of authorisation and the visa is issued by border officials on arrival.

Tanzania: British visitors need a visa, ideally an e-visa from visa.immigration.go.tz, with a passport valid for six months and one blank page. Non-residents must buy Tanzanian Government inbound travel insurance, from ZIC if arriving in Zanzibar first or from NIC if arriving on the mainland first. All travellers must complete the Travellers Health Surveillance Form at afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz before departure or on arrival.

The East Africa Tourist Visa is useful if you plan to combine Kenya and Uganda with Rwanda, but it does not cover Tanzania, so a separate Tanzanian visa is needed for matches there.

Getting there: airports and arrival

Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the main gateway for Kenya, Entebbe International (EBB) serves Kampala about 40 km south-west of the city, and Tanzania uses Julius Nyerere International (DAR), Kilimanjaro International (JRO) and Abeid Amani Karume International in Zanzibar (ZNZ). Book flights early because June and July are peak season.

Kenya Airports Authority runs four international airports: Jomo Kenyatta International in Nairobi, Moi International in Mombasa, Kisumu International and Eldoret International. For NBO, the UK government advises using Mombasa Road or the Nairobi Expressway, as carjacking risk is higher on the old airport road and Jogoo Road.

For Uganda, Entebbe International is the main arrival point, with road transfer to Kampala. For Tanzania, choose DAR for Dar es Salaam matches, JRO for Arusha and northern circuits, and ZNZ for Zanzibar. Internal flights between the host cities will be busy around match days, so confirm schedules with airlines directly.

Getting around on match days

Plan match day transport in advance and use licensed taxis or hotel-arranged cars where possible. The UK government advises avoiding boda bodas and matatus in Uganda, and in Tanzania booking taxis through a hotel or travel operator because dala dalas, boda bodas and bajajis often have poor safety standards. In Dar es Salaam, the standard gauge railway runs electric passenger services to Morogoro and Dodoma.

In Nairobi, allow extra time for traffic and use the Nairobi Expressway or Mombasa Road for airport runs. In Kampala, arrange transfers through your accommodation and avoid motorcycle taxis. In Dar es Salaam, hotels and tour operators can arrange taxis; for Zanzibar, ferries run from Dar es Salaam, but the UK government advises not boarding any ferry that looks overloaded or unseaworthy.

Stadium transport arrangements, shuttle services and road closures for AFCON 2027 will be published by local organisers closer to the tournament. Check the official site and local media for confirmed plans.

Where to stay in each host city

Choose an area that balances access to stadiums with safety and transport. In Nairobi, the UK government names Eastleigh, the Central Business District, Mathare and Kibera as higher-crime areas, so many visitors base themselves in quieter districts and travel by arranged car. In Kampala and Dar es Salaam, hotels can help arrange trusted transport. In Zanzibar, Stone Town and beach areas suit different trips.

Nairobi: look at districts outside the higher-crime list, and confirm with your accommodation how they recommend reaching the stadium on match days. The Central Business District is convenient but is named as a higher-crime area, so take local advice.

Kampala: choose accommodation that can arrange airport transfers from Entebbe and match day transport, and avoid relying on boda bodas or matatus.

Dar es Salaam: base yourself where your hotel can book taxis, and allow time for traffic to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium if it is confirmed as a venue.

Zanzibar: Stone Town suits a short stay, and beach areas suit longer trips. Dress modestly, particularly in Stone Town, where authorities can fine people for clothing they consider inappropriate.

Things to see between matches

Between fixtures you can explore each host city and its surroundings. Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar all offer markets, museums, coastline and wildlife excursions, but keep an eye on match schedules and travel times. Confirm opening hours and tour arrangements locally.

In Kenya, Nairobi is the base for city visits and day trips; the official tourism site will list current options. In Uganda, Kampala is the main hub, with Entebbe about 40 km away. In Tanzania, Dar es Salaam has coastal areas and ferry links to Zanzibar, while Zanzibar itself offers Stone Town and beaches.

When planning excursions, remember that the tournament runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027, and the final qualifying rounds are in March 2027. Check the official AFCON site for the match calendar before booking side trips.

Staying connected: eSIM and mobile data

A Slashtel eSIM gives you data in each host country without changing your home number. It is data only, with no local phone number and no calls or SMS, but WhatsApp and other internet calls work over the data. Keep your home SIM in the phone for calls and bank codes, and turn off data roaming on it to avoid roaming charges.

Slashtel eSIMs are available for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Buy online with an email address and a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay; the QR code arrives by email within minutes. Validity starts when the eSIM first connects at the destination, so you can buy and install it at home before the trip. The network is chosen automatically for the best signal and cannot be picked by hand. Hotspot and tethering are allowed, and more data can be added to the same eSIM later with no new QR code. Your phone must be unlocked and eSIM compatible; see the compatibility guide and installation guide.

Kenya plans: 1 GB $5.29, 3 GB $11.59, 5 GB $17.69, 10 GB $29.59, 20 GB $58.39, with validity options of 7, 15 or 30 days. See the Kenya eSIM page.

Uganda plans: 1 GB $9.09, 3 GB $24.19, 5 GB $37.59, with 7, 15 or 30 day validity. See Uganda plans.

Tanzania plans: 1 GB $7.99, 3 GB $19.89, 5 GB $32.69, 10 GB $58.89, with 7, 15 or 30 day validity. See Tanzania plans.

Kenya's operators are Safaricom, Airtel Networks Kenya and Telkom Kenya; Uganda's main operators are MTN and Airtel; Tanzania's include Vodacom, Yas, Airtel, Halotel and TTCL. Use the data calculator to estimate how much you need. For calls, texts and one-time passcodes, read how calls and OTPs work with a data eSIM. Support is on WhatsApp and email.

Topping up a phone back home

Slashtel also sells mobile top-ups to more than 100 countries, delivered to the number in minutes. Family at home can use them, or they can keep a home line active while you travel. Top-ups are available for Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco and Kenya.

If you keep a home SIM active for bank codes and calls, a top-up can help maintain that line. For family, a top-up is a simple way to stay in touch during the tournament. Choose the country and amount on the relevant page: Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco and Kenya. For keeping a Kenyan line active, see keep number active Kenya.

Safety, money and emergency numbers

Emergency numbers are 999 in Kenya, 999 in Uganda and 112 in Tanzania. Keep valuables secure, use trusted transport and follow local advice. In Zanzibar, dress modestly, particularly in Stone Town. Check your government's travel advice before you go.

The UK government names Eastleigh, the Central Business District, Mathare and Kibera as higher-crime areas of Nairobi. Use Mombasa Road or the Nairobi Expressway for airport transfers. In Uganda, avoid boda bodas and matatus. In Tanzania, book taxis through a hotel or travel operator, and do not board ferries that look overloaded or unseaworthy.

For money, carry a mix of payment methods and check with your bank about using cards abroad. Keep your home SIM active for bank codes, and use your Slashtel eSIM for data. Confirm any local rules and entry requirements on official government sites before travel.

See live eSIM plans for the trip before you travel.

Sources

Event details come from the organisers and official sites below. Dates, venues and entry rules can change, so check them before you travel.

• https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-totalenergies-caf-africa-cup-of-nations-pamoja-2027/ (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/articles/when-and-where-will-afcon-2027-take-place-everything-you-need-to-know-2026-09-21 (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.kaa.go.ke/ (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jomo_Kenyatta_International_Airport (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://caa.go.ug/?p=76431 (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://dlca.logcluster.org/print-preview-current-section/5196 (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/safety-and-security (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/entry-requirements (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uganda/entry-requirements (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania/entry-requirements (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya/getting-help (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uganda/getting-help (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania/getting-help (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.ca.go.ke/sites/default/files/2026-06/%20Sector%20Statistics%20Report%20Q3%202025-2026.pdf (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://tanzaniainvest.com/telecoms/telecom-subscriptions-q2-2026 (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.ecofinagency.com/telecom/2001-46343-uganda-communications-commission-reports-mixed-performance-among-mnos (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/tanzania-s-dar-es-salaam-dodoma-sgr-services-start-with-positive-response--4702138 (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uganda/safety-and-security (checked 24 Oct 2026)
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania/safety-and-security (checked 24 Oct 2026)